Christine Webb, Your Health and Fitness

If you or someone you know has Parkinson's disease, we have some important information to tell you about.

There are some new medications, along with other therapies that might help your loved ones with Parkinson's disease.

Mona Tariot loves to make fresh vegetable soup, but lifting heavy pots and pans has been difficult ever since she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that affects 1.5 million Americans.

"I think when I first became aware of it, it's almost like having a chill, giving you that feeling in your bones that something is wrong," Tariot said.

Tariot suffers from some of the classic Parkinson's symptoms like tremors, stiffness, slow movement and difficulty with balance.

Tariot sought treatment from John Growden, M.D., a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who has worked with Parkinson's patients for 25 years.

"The most important thing for patients to realize is that Parkinson's disease is not a death sentence," Growden said.

While the disease is progressive, Dr. Growden says the symptoms can be controlled with medication.

Levadopa combined with Carbidopa has reportedly works wonders for some patients. They are very effective in reducing tremor, increasing speed of movement, alleviating some of the muscular stiffness.

However, the drugs offer no cure.

Simple exercises that Tariot learned during physical therapy also help, as do eating a healthy diet and staying active.

To see more Health and Fitness stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.